Sister Lucy's GETTING TO THE HEART OF THE MATTER column for September 8, 2000

The Wisdom of Saint Augustine

Last week I presented a brief explanation of the life of St. Augustine
and why he is a saint for our times.
This week I would like to share with you his wisdom as portrayed in some
of his writings and sayings. So the following is food for thought from this great saint who knew
what it was like to be a great sinner and to eventually find Who his heart sought -- GOD.

"God has no need of your money, but the poor have. You give it to the
poor, and God receives it.

What do you possess, if you do not possess God?

Unhappy is the soul enslaved by the love of anything that is mortal.

The love of worldly possessions is a sort of bird line, which entangles
the soul, and prevents it
from flying to God.

This very moment I may, if I desire, become the friend of God.

God bestows more consideration on the purity of the intention with which
our actions are
performed than on the actions themselves.

I will suggest a means whereby you can praise God all day long, if you
wish. Whatever you do,
do it well, and you have praised God.

Our life and our death are with our neighbor.

Conquer yourself and the world lies at your feet.

This is the business of our life. By labor and prayer to advance in the
grace of God, till we come
to that height of perfection in which, with clean hearts, we may behold God.

Daily advance, then, in this love, both by praying and by well doing,
that through the help of Him
who enjoined it on you, and whose gift it is, it may be nourished and
increased, until, being perfected, it
render you perfect.

God in His omnipotence could not give more, in His wisdom He knew not how
to give more, in
the riches He had not more to give, than the Eucharist.

Conquer yourself and the world lies at your feet.

God does not command impossibilities, but by commanding admonishes you do
what you can and
to pray for what you cannot, and aids you that you may be able.

Our hearts are restless, O Lord, until they rest in You!

If physical things please you, then praise God for them, but turn back
your love to Him who
created them, lest in the things that please you, you displease Him. If
souls please you, love them in God:
for in themselves they are changeable, but in Him they are firmly
established. Without Him they pass
away and perish. In Him, then, let them be loved, and carry along with you
to Him as many souls as you
can, and say to them, “Let us love Him, let us love Him; He made the world
and is not far from it. He did
not make all things and then leave them, but they are of Him and in Him.
See, there He is wherever truth
is loved. He is within the very heart, yet the heart has strayed from Him.
Return to your heart, O you
transgressors, and hold fast to Him who made you. Stand with Him and you
will stand fast. Rest in Him
and you shall be at rest.”